On behalf of the Toronto International Airport's special General Assembly that was convened on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2011, we send a united message of solidarity to our sisters and brothers with PALEA.
Although the weather was bitterly cold, our spirits were warm as around 100 community activists and airport workers rallied in support of your fight for justice on the departures level of the airport.
The assembly began with Filipino-Canadian airport workers from the IAMAW and CAW reading a message of solidarity to the YYZ Assembly from PALEA President Gerry Rivera.
Afterwards an activist from Migrante Canada gave a speech describing Philippine Airlines' anti-worker agenda and the effects of contractualisation not only in the Philippines but around the world, including Canada.
United around a banner reading "Ang laban ng PALEA ay laban ng manggagawa ng daigdig" the assembly then discussed and voted on concrete actions that will be taken in support of your struggle for justice as well as the importance of promoting Human Rights for all workers:
1 - A demonstration will be held for the workers of PALEA at the Philippine Consulate, in Toronto, in the New Year.
2 - A strategy will be developed to put economic pressure on PAL and their corporate friends. This strategy will not appeal to the morality of PAL but instead hurt them in their pocket book. This message will be brought to our community groups and unions in order to have more strategic meetings about tactics and actions, soon.
3 - We put the issues of migrant workers and airport workers on the agenda of International Women’s Day. That we use this new network to increase the focus on the issues these women workers face in their daily lives.
4 - We hold assemblies (and/or actions) at Toronto airport (YYZ) every year on Human Rights Day. Also, that we attempt to hold similar actions at as many airports in Canada as possible.
Additionally, issues around the unionised airport workers of YYZ were discussed including a commitment to return to the airport to take direct action in support of any unionised airport group that requires support against the same anti-worker corporate agenda they might face.
As well, the main airport unions (IAMAW, CUPE and CAW) will continue to distribute materials about PALEA's struggle to their co-workers and take other actions of solidarity within their memberships.
The Assembly sends a special thanks to CUPE Local 966 (Region of Peel workers) for providing bus transport for the community activists and CUPE Local 416 (City of Toronto workers) for marshalling the event. Both of these Locals are also facing the outsourcing of their jobs and we are committed to support their struggles as well.
History was made on this cold day as it marked the first formal action of international solidarity by Canadian airport workers for fellow workers a continent away as well as the first commemoration of Human Rights Day at a Canadian airport.
It also marked the first ever Assembly to be held at a Canadian airport as well as the first of hopefully many joint actions between the Filipino-Canadian community and airport workers in support of PALEA.
The Assembly process was facilitated by activists from the Occupy Toronto movement furthering the growing bonds between it and the Toronto Airport workers. This process proved a great success as it was inclusive, positive and created a spirit of solidarity through the use of the "peoples' mike" which re-inforced the message of how we all speak with one voice when it comes to protecting human rights.
Finally the Assembly concluded with chants of "Workers' Rights are Human Rights!" and "The Workers United will Never be Defeated!"
Your determination to "never surrender" is an inspiration to us all and we are proud to call you our sisters and brothers. Your fight is our fight!